Window structure



A. J. McLouGl-ILIN 2,375,013

WINDOW STRUCTURE v Filed April l, 1944 2 Sheets-'Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

May l, 1945. A. J. McLouGHLIN 2,375,013

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed April l, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May l, 1945 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFEicE t l.m -'Zlam l Anlit; Ear-[11:11:34: lslilmiye. 391323 Claims.

This invention relates to a window structure,

and the essential object thereof is t0. provide a frame with interchangeable storm or screen inserts, adaptable as a permanent fixture either in conjunction with a conventional window or as a complete substitute for the same.

To the accomplishment of the recited object and others subordinate therewith, one embodiment of my invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and embodied in the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a back elevation of the frame with inserts, and with the middle insert partially broken away to illustrate the position which would be occupied by the screen insert, the latter two inserts having the same dimensions.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation taken along lines 2--2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken through the screen insert.

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a container for the insert not in use.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rear of the frame with the inserts removed, and

Fig. '7 is a similar view of the front of the inserts arranged in superimposed relation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 denotes a rectangular wood frame comprising vertical side members 6 and 1, top transverse member 8 and sill 9. A ledge I0 is provided at the inner bottom edge of each side, and asimilar ledge Il extends from the upper member 8 the disposition of the ledges, in conjunction with the shoulder I2 (Fig. 2) at the lower inner edge of sill 9, serving to partially sustain and seal a plurality of inserts in a manner to be presently explained.

All told, I utilize three storm inserts, I3,'I4 and I5, and one screen or Ventilating insert I6. Insert I3, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 0f the drawings, is the largest, and may occupy approximately one-half of the space of the main frame 5. Specifically, this insert has the general conformation of a conventional window sash, but diifers in the following respects: The outer edges or the frontl of the stiles I1 and the upper rail I8 are recessed to present shoulders I9 and 20 designed for engagement with ledges IIl and II of frame 5. Then the inner edge of the bottom rail 2I is formed with a flange 22 which is adapted to iit snugly against, the top shoulder of the adjacent insert, or shoulder I2 of the main frame. Still further, notches 23 (Fig. 7) are arranged in spaced relationship on the outer edges of the stiles to receive friction catches 24 projecting from the inner sides of members l and I of the frame. I

Storm inserts I4 and I5, and screen inserts I6- excepting as to size and obvious details-are replicas of insert I3, just described, and the same rei'erence numerals have been employed to indicate corresponding parts.

. To detachably secure the different inserts in position againstl ledges I0 and II of the frame, a pair of angle Virons 25 may be fastened adjacent` the top of side members 6 and l, and two pairs of latches 26 and 21 may be mounted towards the lower extremity of said members.

The frame, including all of its components, is preferably installed on the outside of a conventional window by inserting screws in four counter-sunk holes 28 of the frame and screwing them home into the window frame-this simple operation obviously being done from the inside of the house. It should be observed here that the sill 9 is of greater depth than top member l to insure horizontal alignment of the center rails of the inserts with the center rails of the existing house window.

As will be seen'from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, storm insert I3 occupies one-half; storm insert I4 or screen insert I6 about three-eighths; and storm insert I5 approximately one-eighth of the frame spaceand this relationship obtains whether all three storm inserts or two storm inserts and one screen insert constitute the assembly. However, the disposition of the inserts relative the frame may be varied in accordance with the particular requirements. For example, assuming indirect ventilation to be desirable. either the screen insert I6 or the smallest storm insert I5 can be placed at thel top of frame 5 while the large storm insert I3 is transposed to the bottom half of the frame-this in lieu of the order disclosed in Fig. l. Or, if preferred, the smallest insert I5 may be removed partially or entirely to permit ventilation through'the lower portion of the window. Again, with insert I5 having the contents of the room damaged by rain,

and simultaneously setting up a formidable obstacle to the unauthorized entrance of one through the window.

Inserts Il, I5 or I6 may be interchanged whenever the occasion demands without disturbing n*ms* position of insert I3, due primarily to the presence of the notches 23 and friction catches 24, which serve to hold it in place at any point along the length of the frame. Ledges l and Il in this connection, function as a track for shoulders I9 and 20. The same may be said 0i' the other inserts, but these are so light that they can be entirely removed from the frame without the slightest undue strain, and all inserts, as will be noted, are provided with knobs 29 for facile manipulation.

Invariably one insert-usually the intermediate size N-IS-is not in the frame. This can be stored very conveniently in a container, as 30. located directly under the window or on the inside of a nearby closet door, or other convenient place in room.

Other advantages of the invention are: that the inserts are for the most part relatively small in size and light in weight, thereby making for their easy interchange in the frame and removal for cleansing or other purposes; that interchangeability is effected without the necessity of standing on a chair or stepladder, or disturbing shade or drapes; that the inserts Il-iS are of such convenient size that while insert I6 will a1- lowsuillcient ventilation, its simple storing problem will encourage users to retain storm insert Il during daytime in summer to exclude heat, noise and dust'and interchange with screen insert at sundown for ventilation; that the complemental ledges and shoulders in combination with the retaining devices provide for a tight joint between the frame and inserts thereby tending materially to exclude rain, drafts and snow.

In its broader aspects my invention comprehends the employment not only of the means described, but of equivalent means for performing the recited functions. It is desired to reserve the right to eiect such changes as may come fairly within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the invention is not limited to use as a storm window, but may supplant conventional windows altogether.

I claim:

1. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a plurality of sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, said inserts designed to be sustained by the ledges and means for locking the inserts with respect to the frame and its ledges.

2. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a, plurality of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, said inserts designed to be sustained by the ledges, and means for locking the inserts with respect to the frame and its ledges.

3. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a plurality of interchangeable sash inserts consisting of one large storm insert, one small storm sash insert,

one storm sash insert of intermediate dimensions and one screen sash insert interchangeable with the intermediate storm sash insert designed to be sustained by the ledges and means for locking the inserts with respect to the frame and its ledges.

4. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a llurality of interchangeable and intrachangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert. one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts. said inserts designed to be sustained by the ledges and means for locking the inserts -with respect to the frame and its ledges.

5. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a plural# ity of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, said inserts provided with shoulders and ilanges slidably supported and guided by the ledges, and means for locking the inserts with respect to the'frame and its ledges.

6. A window structure, comprising a. rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a'. plurality of interchangeable and intrachangeable sash inserts consisting of one large storm insert, one small storm sash insert, one storm sash insert of intermediate dimensions and one screen sash insert interchangeable with the intermediate storm sash insert, each insert provided with a pair of shoulderscoacting with -the ledges, and means mounted on the frame for locking the ledges and shoulders together.

'7. A window structure, comprising a. rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a plurality of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, the stiles and top rail of each insert having shoulders, and the bottom rail thereof provided witha ange, the shoulders of the stiles engaging the ledges of the frame and the' flange of the bottom rail nesting in the top shoulder of the adjacent rail.

8. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, spring friction catches disposed longitudinally adjacent the ledges and a plurality of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, the stiles of each insert having notches adapted to receive the catches.

9. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, the inner edges of opposite sides and top of the frame having ledges, spring friction catches disposed longitudinally adjacent the side ledges, and a plurality of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, the stiles of each insert having notches adapted to receive the catches.

10. A window structure, comprising a rectangular frame, ledges carried by the frame, a plurality of interchangeable sash inserts extending across the width of said frame and comprising one large insert, one small insert and one insert having dimensions intermediate those of the other two inserts, said inserts designed to be sustained by the ledges, a. pair of extensions disposed adjacent the upper terminal of the frame for securing the topmost insert against the ledges, and

means for locking the other inserts with respectv to the ledges.

ARTHUR J. MCLOUGHLIN. 

